Island



(No Madel.)

'W. s. COOPER.

MECHANICAL TOY.

- Patented July 16, 1895.

ll W umam:%iw'ifl Ma. IIIIIHIIIIIHIIlllllllllll fiilfliii iiiiiiiml lllllllllllll UNITED ST TES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM sToRRs COOPER, or NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND.

MECHANICAL TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,727, dated July 16, 1895.

Application filed February 28, 1895. Serial No. 540,084. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S'roRRs CooP- ER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newport, in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Mechanical Toy, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in mechanical toys, and the object of the invention is to produce a toy which in motion will represent one or more figures or actors performing on a horizontal bar, which shall be a source of amusement and entertainment for children, attractive in appearance, simple and inexpensive in construction, and not liable to be injured or broken.

This invention consists in the combination, with a hoop or wheel provided with suitable spokes and a centrally-arranged axle or shaft, of one or more figures or representations of actors or performers pivoted to said centrallyarranged axle and adapted to swing around the same; also in certain features and details of construction and arrangement hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved toy, illus- 't'rating the manner in which the same is manipulated. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective circle, the ends thereof being'riveted together or to a connecting strip or cleat 2, as shown, although said hoop or rim maybe made from any suitable material and the ends joined in any referred manner.

3 3 indicate two bars or spokes, preferably of metal, extending entirely across diametrically of the hoop 1 and located upon opposite sides or at the opposite edges thereof, being rivcted or otherwise secured to said hoop. The

bars or spokes 3 3 are preferably arranged at right angles to each other and are connected centrally of their length by an axle or shaft 4, passing through corresponding perforations 5 in said bars or spokes or otherwise secured between and having a fixed relation to the bars or spokes 3 and rim or hoop 1.

6 and 7 indicate two figures or automatons of any preferred description, representing acrobats or performers. The figures 6 and 7 have their arms jointed at the shoulders and may also, if desired, be provided with hip and knee joints, each figure or automaton being supported by and pivoted upon the centrally-arranged shaft or axle, the latter passing through the bands or arms of such figures. Each figure or automaton is provided with a short wire or rod interposed between and conmeeting its arms, said wire or rod 8 being par-V allel toand located a short distance from the axle to which the figure is pivoted.

9 indicates a rod or pin secured fixedly to the centrally-arranged shaft4 and projecting radially upon opposite sides thereof to points beyond the circle or arc in which the wires or rods 8 travel. form stops for limiting and regulating the movements and relative positions of the figures or automatons 6 and 7.

10 indicates a cord which is fastened to an eye-ringer loop in one end of the centrallyarranged axle 4.

To manipulate the toy above described, the operator starts the hoop or rim along the floor, and, grasping the cord 10 ata point sev eral feet from the point of its attachment to the toy, directs the latter in a circle and causes it to travel around him. In the forward movement of the hoop the pin or stop 9 engages the wires or rods 8, thereby lifting the figures or automatons and causing them to encircle the axle 4. As each automaton descends upon the opposite side of the axle, its downward movement or further progress is arrested by the wire or'rod 8 coming in contact with the stop or pin 9. In this manner the figures are kept apart and made to encircle the shaft separately.

The toy-may also be manipulated by the operator squatting on the floor and starting the wheel with the right hand. The string is then grasped about eighteen inches from the toy and the latter caused to travel around and describe a small circle, the radius of The rods or pins 8 and 9 thus which can be regulated by the cord held in the left hand and which may be lengthened or shortened thereby. The toy must thus pass between the operators hand as a center and his body, and as it passes the latter the circle must be reduced in diameter, after which the string may be lengthened and the toy caused to describe a larger circle again.

said axle and adapted to be carried around with the same, and the stops or pins for propelling said figures in a circle around the axle and limiting the movements of said figures or automatons, substantially as described.

3. A hoop or wheel provided with a centrally arranged axle, in combination with one or more figures or automatons, having jointed arms and legs and pivoted upon and adapted to be carried around said axle, a stop carried by said axle, and a corresponding stop carried by each figure or automaton, said stops being adapted to co-operate, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM STORES COOPER.

Witnesses:

MARY J. RODERICK, CHAS H. KOEHNE, J rt 

